Back-to-School Shopping: What to Know Before Hitting the Stores

Families are expected to spend about $863 per K–12 student and a record $1,400 per college student for 2026 back-to-school.
NBC’s Christine Romans points to deals at Walmart, Target, Staples and Amazon as top places to watch for discounts.
Smart tips: compare prices, consider refurbished tech, and wait to buy until you’ve shopped around.